New shows

This week, other than the behemoth known as the NYC International Fringe Festival, only two shows start runs; most of theaterland's still on summer vacation. That includes Bill Shakespeare, apparently, since he's skipping the second offering of Shakespeare in the Park after the smashing success of "Twelfth Night". Subbing in is Euripides and his "Bacchae", a Greek tragedy about a king who blasphemes the god of wine, theater and insanity. And it's free—sounds like a Pick of the Week!

ANOTHER MAN'S POISON
where: Peter J. Sharp Theatre
first night: Wednesday, Aug. 12
closing night: Sunday, Aug. 23
URL: TicketCentral.com
This satire on celebrity life approaches its subject at an odd angle: through the upheaval of the Woodstock era. A comedian finally gets his shot at fame with a TV variety show, but finds that one of the costs is that he must take sides on the subjects of race, sex, family and war.

THE BACCHAE
where: Delacorte Theater
first night: Tuesday, Aug. 11
opening night: Monday, Aug. 24
closing night: Sunday, Aug. 30
URL: PublicTheater.org
Ancient Greek writer Euripides pinch-hits for Shakespeare in the Central Park's second free offering with "The Bacchae", a dramatic thundercloud about an uptight king who outlaws emotion. It stars Anthony Mackie ("The Hurt Locker") and Jonathan Groff ("Spring Awakening"), and includes music by Philip Glass! (Pick of the Week: Aug. 10)

NYC INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL
where: all over town
first night: Friday, Aug. 14
closing night: Sunday, Aug. 30
URL: FringeNYC.org
Only 12 years old, the New York International Fringe Festival (or NYCFringe) has become an essential part of New York in August, a funhouse mirror that reflects our city's buggy summer soul. Highlights from this year's experimental extravaganza include the Charles Manson musical "Willy Nilly"-billed as "the anti-Hair"-and "The Books," a sexy and nerdy look at the relationship between a dominatrix, her client and their favorite novels.

Last chance!
CONEY ISLAND AVENUE
where: New York Theatre Workshop
URL: SmartTix.com

THE ICE FACTORY FESTIVAL
where: Ohio Theatre
URL: SohoThinkTank.org

MARY STUART
where: Broadhurst Theatre
URL: MaryStuartOnBroadway.com

SLIPPING
where: Rattlestick Theater
URL: RisingPhoenixRep.org

SWEET STORM
where: Theatre Row
URL: AlchemyTheatre.org